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My $0.02 on the Replacement Refs

I know it's not going well, and I think that if the real refs want more money (I assume that's what it's about, though I haven't been following the dispute) then the NFL can certainly afford to pay them and should do so!

That said,

I hope the players, coaches, fans, and especially THE MEDIA remember to apply these huuuuuuuuuge levels of scrutiny once the regular refs come back.

I think they will if the calls are this bad. did you watch the last 2 games, the Sunday Night and Monday night games? Those could be the 2 worst officiated games I have ever seen.... well, I guess there was the Packers games last year with the real refs too :-)

I know it's not going well, and I think that if the real refs want more money (I assume that's what it's about, though I haven't been following the dispute) then the NFL can certainly afford to pay them and should do so!

That said,

I hope the players, coaches, fans, and especially THE MEDIA remember to apply these huuuuuuuuuge levels of scrutiny once the regular refs come back.

It's not just about money it's about pension plans. The refs want a pension plan for what amounts to a part time job. Who gets a pension plan anymore!
I understand the NFL's position and at some point you just have to say no, know matter how bad things are.
I mean it's like a hostage situation... I do want them back though.

east bay is saying that it's not like they've asked for an increased salary.

they're trying to convert their pension plan from a defined benefit plan (where you're guarnteed a certain benefit irrespective of how financially successful the plan's investments are) to a defined contribution (where they get whatever the plan can afford to pay out based on what you paid in).

basically the whole western world in converting to defined contribution plans (defined benefit plan was largely what sunk GM), and there's no way the NFL is just going to cave when it just converted their FULL TIME employees to the same proposed plan.

I know it's not going well, and I think that if the real refs want more money (I assume that's what it's about, though I haven't been following the dispute) then the NFL can certainly afford to pay them and should do so!

That said,

I hope the players, coaches, fans, and especially THE MEDIA remember to apply these huuuuuuuuuge levels of scrutiny once the regular refs come back.

If they cave, and hand the refs exactly what they want, what leverage (if any) does that give the OWNERS of this product in future contracts and labor disputes? just about none, please, please people think economically. Think business. Think realistic.